CALEDONIA — Graduation day wasn’t a good day for River Valley’s football team.
Crossing the stage were 12 productive seniors, including the engine of their offense and the heart of their defense.
The Vikings will learn what life is like without two-time All-Ohio quarterback Chase Ebert, who accounted for nearly every yard and touchdown a year ago. They’ll also lean what it’s like without Tyson Waddle, an All-Ohio linebacker who was one of the surest tacklers in north central Ohio.
Coach Matt Waddle admits those are two daunting tasks.
“We are counting on our seniors and juniors to lead our team,” he said, “especially those two- and three-year starters. Our expectations are that they lead by example both on and off the field, carry themselves in a respectful manner and be good students and community members.”
With that said, here are three questions about the Vikings heading into the 2025 season:
What will the offense do without Ebert?
Ebert threw for 3,000 yards and ran for 600 more, having a hand in 31 of the team’s 34 offensive touchdowns. That’s a tough act to follow, and Waddle wasn’t sure who would get the gig early in the preseason as three are vying for the spot.
All-district golfer and basketball player Chase Smith is trying his hand at varsity football for the first time, while junior transfer Owen Collins and freshman Owen Severns are in the mix, too.
Whoever gets the job will be protected as well as anyone in the area. Four of the five linemen are multi-year starters and seniors led by all-leaguer Carter Logan, Luke Crawford, Cohen Cellar and Jackson Kloha. Senior Mason Ward is the lone newcomer.
The QB also has sure-handed receivers with experience in Eli Snyder, who led the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference with 71 receptions, and Kolton Lang who added 31. Carter Myers is 6-foot-5 as a wideout, and Logan Creps is 6-4, while Harrison Bradley is a 6-4 tight end, so they have enviable targets downfield.
Ebert was their chief runner last year, but that changes as Noah Wirik will be a running back.
Waddle will look to create depth with Ricky Smith, Josh Taylor, Ayden Bishop, Jake Comstock and Carter Spriggs on the line; J.J. Walton, Nolan Bailey and Hayden Kittles at running back; and Ty Monette, Riley Hummel and A.J. Hornung as receivers.
Who will emerge as big-play defensive players?
Two are already known. Snyder as a strong safety is a three-year starter coming off a season where he racked up 122 tackles and scored two defensive touchdowns. Bradley as a defensive end made 76 tackles, 13 for loss and two sacks as both were all-district picks.
Wirik will fill the void in the middle as a linebacker after posting 92 tackles, 12 for loss, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.
As for the rest of the defense, watch Logan, Walton and Kloha along the line, Isaac Betti and Monette as outside linebackers and Hummel, Lang and Ellis McFarland in the backfield. Other names to follow are Blake Miley, A.J. Thorpe, Drew Goldberg, Ayden Bishop, Leham Hamiton, Hayden Kittles, Kaleb Miracle, Wuan’ye Dickerson, Nolan Bailey, Blake Fitsko and Blake Large.
“We feel we have some guys on both sides of the ball that can have a huge impact on our team,” Waddle said. “Those position battles are still going on throughout two-a-days and scrimmages. The QB position is the biggest competitiion right now.”
What’s the outlook at RV?
Waddle is taking a tempered approach, knowing the MOAC is a challenge every season. Shelby looks like a squad that could run away with the championship, but Clear Fork, Ontario and Galion will be fighting with Marion Harding, Pleasant, Highland and the Vikings to see how it shakes out.
“We hope to be in the upper half of the league and competing for a league title,” Waddle said.
He has reason to be optimistic.
“We had a great summer in our weight room and were able to do many different 7-on-7’s. We found out that we have some good speed with our skill players and some strong guys that really hit the weight room and got stronger,” Waddle said.
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River Valley 2025 Football File
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: River Valley 2025 high school football | Answering three questions about upcoming season
Reporting by Rob McCurdy, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
